The Community Industry Group is the peak body working for community services and organisations in South East NSW. It supports community organisations, promotes expertise and innovation, fosters industry development and pursues social justice in the region. Its membership consists of organisations and individuals that provide community services.

Latest News

Friday 9th March 2018 Community Industry Group in partnership with Big Fat Smile invite you to book in for a unique opportunity to explore how providers in the region can work together to develop and implement best practice in the protection of children and vulnerable individuals. We are excited to welcome Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM, Commissioner with the Productivity Commission, formerly a Commissioner on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse for five years, Megan Mitchell, National Children’s Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission, and Steve Kinmond, Deputy Ombudsman & Community and Disability Services Commissioner to the Illawarra. This important event is perfect for all human services providers - education providers, children’s services, social workers, emergency services, community workers or anyone working with children and vulnerable individuals or communities. Book tickets here: www.royalcommission.eventbrite.com.au

Celebrating 25 years – and a new name! We were very proud to host a morning tea on Monday 12 February 2018 to celebrate 25 years of service to local community services, and to launch its new name and brand. The celebration was held at Wollongong Town Hall and was well attended by our member organisations, local MP's, the mayors of Wollongong and Shellharbour as well as many of our board members. Gareth Ward MP, Parliamentary Secretary to The Premier Illawarra and South Coast congratulated CEO Nicky Sloan and the Community Industry Group on their outstanding service to the community and was on hand to cut the cake with board member Danna Nelse. CEO Nicky Sloan said, ‘The Illawarra Forum was incorporated in 1993 to be a central body that could speak out and challenge a range of issues on behalf of the community services sector in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. Our [...]

The Illawarra Forum is now proud to be known as the Community Industry Group. The name change was voted in by our members, at the recent Annual General Meeting, to better reflect the work we do and the greater geographic area we reach with our programs. We are currently in the process of updating our marketing materials and documents and will replace these on our website as they become available.

Upcoming Training & Events

A forum for CHSP & HCP providers, RAS, ACAT, government staff and allied health professionals.
Wellness & Reablement requires Aged Services Professionals to have more ‘person-centred conversations’ in their assessment and practice. Knowing when and how to ask (the right) questions as opposed to advice giving or telling, is essential. This Better Questions Workshop offers simple yet highly effective communication strategies to facilitate conversations with older clients that can tap into their potential and resourcefulness, leading to them being more motivated and feeling more valued, engaged, respected and ultimately healthier people!
At the end of this workshop you will:
Recognise habitual patterns of response in our conversations
Understand the impact of asking vs telling and the principles of asking Better Questions
Using Better Questions in practical scenarios
Handling resistance to the approach
Tips to enhance your listening skills
Improve your ability to ask Better Questions with a ‘person-centred’ or wellness focus
Introduction to the Better Questions model
Questioning Practice – work in groups to practice the skills learned
Develop an action plan for ongoing implementation of your learning
Enable clients to take more responsibility and accountability and use questions to create more engagement and motivation
Redefine their roles and create a new mindset to incorporate new practices
Lindsay Tighe is the founder of Inspirational Coaching and Better Questions and is a highly regarded speaker, business woman, coach and author of eight books. Her passion is teaching the skill of asking Better Questions to release human potential and she has developed various workshops and resources which are detailed at www.betterquestions.com.au She has trained thousands of people in the Aged Care, Community &Health sectors to support the Wellness/Reablement approach and Consumer Directed Care. Lindsay holds an MBA from Macquarie Graduate School of Management and has appeared on Channel 7’s Sunrise and has featured in numerous national publications.
For a printable flyer please click here
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided.
CAN’T MAKE IT? If you are unable to attend your nominated course a substitute for your place is welcome to attend. The full training fee will be charged if you or someone in your place does not attend the session and we have not been given notice as specified below.
REFUNDS: If the registered participant is unable to attend a minimum of 3 days’ notice is required to receive a full refund. If the registered participant provides less than 3 days’ notice a refund of 50% of course cost will be refunded. If the course is cancelled, a full refund will be paid in full.
CATERING: Please advise us at time of booking of any specific dietary requirements.
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS: Please advise us at time of booking if you have any specific training needs e.g. for visual, hearing or mobility impairments.
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The Royal Commission Recommendations.
Learnings and Opportunities to Improve Child Safety for Human Services:
Big Fat Smile – a high quality provider in early education and care for children, in partnership with the peak body for Community Services in the Illawarra and South East NSW, The Community Industry Group Inc. (Illawarra Forum) invite you to hear Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM speak about the Recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.
Commissioner Fitzgerald will be joined by Megan Mitchell , AHRC National Children’s Commissioner and Steve Kinmond, Deputy Ombudsman & Community and Disability Services Commissioner to discuss their roles and responsibilities.
In the afternoon there will be facilitated discussions on the implications of these recommendations for human services providers in terms of response, accountability, policy, procedures and best practice.
This will be a great opportunity to explore how providers in the region can work together as a community of practice to develop and implement best practice in the protection of children and vulnerable individuals.
Click here for a printable flyer

Join us for this insightful and practical one day training, which includes:
Yarning circles - local Aboriginal people sharing culture and stories
Important milestones in recent Aboriginal history
The impact of legislation and government policies on Aboriginal people
Cultural changes and achievements
Racism - what does it look like?
An introduction to Aboriginal cultural protocols
Understanding Aboriginal sensitivities in the workplace
Overcoming communication challenges and dispelling myths
Answering your questions
Meet at 9am for a 9.30am sharp start.
Morning tea and lunch will be provided and places are limited, so please book early.
Session Trainer: Julie Moore
Julie was born in Berry, NSW and raised at Wreck Bay on the NSW South Coast. She is a proud member of the Wandandian people of the Yuin nation, and the Principal of Koorimunication, an Aboriginal consultancy established in 2008. Prior to the establishment of Koorimunication, she enjoyed a Public Service career spanning more than 35 years across NSW State and Federal Governments.
Click here for a printable flyer
CAN’T MAKE IT? If you are unable to attend your nominated course a substitute for your place is welcome to attend. The full training fee of $50 will be charged if you or someone in your place does not attend the session and we have not been given notice to replace your spot.
CATERING: Please advise us at time of booking of any specific dietary requirements.
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS: Please advise us at time of booking if you have any specific training needs e.g. for visual, hearing or mobility impairments.